The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis showcased a blend of athletic prowess and strategic decisions, leading to significant shifts in draft projections. Here's a breakdown of the notable risers, fallers, and the broader implications for the upcoming NFL Draft.​

Risers

​Shemar Stewart (EDGE, Texas A&M)​

Shemar Stewart delivered a standout performance, solidifying his status as a top-10 prospect. Measuring 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds with 34 ⅛-inch arms, Stewart showcased elite explosiveness with a 40-inch vertical jump (96th percentile) and a 10-foot-11 broad jump (98th percentile). His 4.59-second 40-yard dash further underscored his athleticism, making him one of the most dynamic pass-rushers in recent combine history.

​Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)​

Nick Emmanwori's combine performance was nothing short of historic. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he clocked a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, paired with a 43-inch vertical and an 11.5-foot broad jump. These metrics contributed to a perfect 10.00 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), positioning him as one of the most athletic safeties ever evaluated. His on-field agility and ball skills have now firmly placed him in first-round discussions. 

​Bhayshul Tuten (RB, Virginia Tech)​

Bhayshul Tuten emerged as one of the combine's most explosive running backs. Weighing 206 pounds, he recorded a blazing 4.32-second 40-yard dash and a 40.5-inch vertical jump. His agility and pass-catching drills further highlighted his versatility, elevating him from a potential Day 3 pick to strong Day 2 consideration. ​

​Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)​

Matthew Golden's 4.29-second 40-yard dash, complemented by a 1.49-second 10-yard split, turned heads at the combine. This performance has propelled him into first-round conversations, with teams eager to harness his deep-threat capabilities. ​

Fallers

​Will Howard (QB, Ohio State)​

Will Howard's combine performance raised concerns among scouts. His deep throws were frequently off-target, leading to questions about his NFL readiness. This underscores the strategic decisions of top quarterback prospects like Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward, who opted to showcase their skills in more controlled environments, such as pro days, to better manage evaluations. 

​Isaiah Bond (WR, Texas)​

Isaiah Bond entered the combine with high expectations but failed to meet them. Despite pre-combine boasts about potentially breaking speed records, his performance fell short, causing a reevaluation of his draft stock.

Implications

The combine's outcomes have reshaped team strategies:​

• Quarterback Evaluations: The mixed performances have led teams to reassess their draft boards, placing greater emphasis on pro day evaluations and individual workouts.​

• Defensive Prospects: Exceptional showings by players like Stewart and Emmanwori have intensified competition among teams seeking defensive upgrades, potentially leading to early defensive selections in the draft.

• Skill Positions: The emergence of talents like Tuten and Golden offers teams additional options to bolster their offensive arsenals, influencing mid to late-round strategies.

  
  

As the draft approaches, teams will integrate these combine insights with further evaluations to finalize their selections, aiming to strike the optimal balance between athletic potential and on-field performance.